What does the Bible say about reincarnation?

Quick answer

The Bible rejects reincarnation. It teaches that each person lives once, dies once, and then faces judgment — not a cycle of rebirths. Our hope is resurrection, not reincarnation.

"It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). One life, then eternity.

The Christian hope is the resurrection of the body — the same person raised glorified, not a different body in a new cycle.

Reincarnation also undercuts grace: it makes salvation a matter of accumulated effort across lifetimes, whereas the gospel offers full forgiveness now through Christ.

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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.